Publications

Hull Vane® vs lengthening – a comparison between four alternatives for a 61m OPV

In a typical retrofit installation (attached to the transom), the Hull Vane® increases the total length of a vessel. In this paper, the question is answered whether lengthening the vessel by the same amount can achieve comparable results in case of a newbuilding. For this purpose, four versions of a state-of-the-art 61m patrol boat design by DAMEN are compared in terms of resistance and propulsion. These resistance and propulsion calculations are based on a series of CFD computations.
The results show that for a given operational profile, a Hull Vane® fitted behind the transom is the most beneficial solution in reducing the fuel consumption of the vessel. Incorporating the Hull Vane® within the existing length of the vessel also proves to be more beneficial for the yearly fuel consumption than extending the overall length of the vessel.

In designing the Hull Vane®, many boundary conditions were taken into account, like the RHIB launch and recovery through the transom door. This paper about the application of the Hull Vane® to the 108m Holland Class OPV is highlighting a.o. the positive effect on helicopter landings. This paper was first presented at the MAST conference in 2016.

A systematic comparison of the influence of the Hull Vane®, interceptors, trim wedges, and ballasting on the performance of the 50m AMECRC series #13 patrol Vessel

For this publicly available model shape, a comparison was made between the Hull Vane®, interceptors, trim wedges, and ballasting. The results were presented for the first time at the RINA Warship Conference in Bath, UK, in 2016. The best and second-best option were also compared in waves. The paper is available for download.

A life cycle cost analysis of the application of a Hull Vane® to an offshore patrol vessel

The consequences of applying a Hull Vane® to a Holland Class 108 m Oceangoing Patrol Vessel of the Royal Netherlands Navy were studied by means of a Computational Fluid Dynamics study. This paper demonstrates that the total fuel consumption can be reduced with 12.5 up to 15.3% if a Hull Vane® is installed. Further operational benefits were a reduction of the vertical accelerations at the helicopter deck when sailing in head waves, a reduction of the turbulent zone just behind the slipway enabling small craft launch & recovery, an increased range and an increased top speed. This paper was at presented at the FAST conference in 2015.

The effects of the Hull Vane® on ship motions of ferries and RoPax vessels

This paper discusses research into the seakeeping aspects of the Hull Vane® on larger (RoPax) vessels. Results from tank tests of the 167 meter container vessel Rijnborg and CFD computations on the 167 meter RoPax vessel Norbank will be shown and discussed. These results show that both the pitch motion and the added resistance due to waves can also be effectively reduced by applying a Hull Vane® on larger vessels.
A CFD computation of the RoPax vessel in 2.5 meter waves showed a pitch reduction of 4.9%, and a reduction of the wave-induced added resistance of 4.5%. The Rijnborg was model tested in different regular wave systems, with and without Hull Vane®. All tests in regular waves showed a reduction of the pitch motion, on average by 11,4%. Model tests in ice were done at Arctech Helsinki. This research was at first presented at the RINA Ferries & RoPax Conference in London, in 2015.

An update on the development of the Hull Vane®

Although the early beginnings of the Hull Vane® can be traced back to its application on a catamaran in 1992, the research has gathered pace since the first patent was applied for in 2002. The Hull Vane® is a fixed foil located below the waterline, near the stern of the vessel. The lift it creates can be decomposed into a force in x-direction, reducing the total resistance of the vessel, and in z-direction, influencing the trim and thus the total resistance. Additionally, the Hull Vane® reduces the generation of waves and the vessel’s motions in waves. Resistance reductions of up to 26.5% have been found with the use of CFD computations, model tests and sea trials. For commercial applications, resistance reductions between 5 and 10% are common. The Hull Vane® is especially applicable on ships sailing at moderate to high non-planing speeds, with Froude numbers between 0.2 and 0.7. In this paper, the development process, the working principles, and the achieved results up to now are discussed.